Deep Love

Following that incident, they encountered no further similar disturbances.After all, they were within the royal capital.Thanks to nearly a decade of reforms, while the common folk of the capital might not have been wealthy enough to scorn forgotten valuables, they had, by and large, ascended to a life beyond mere subsistence.Even the few impoverished citizens received aid and job placements from the kingdom.Thus, street robberies were exceedingly rare, and in all probability, this one was—

“Report, sir, the identity of the perpetrator from earlier has been confirmed.”

Upon their return to the nearby police station, a stationed guard approached to deliver a report.

“The perpetrator is a fallen noble, possessing Bronze-tier strength.”

The guard’s face was etched with revulsion and disdain. “It was out of discontent with Lady Hai Zhu that he resorted to plundering the common folk’s possessions. He had already committed such acts five times prior to this incident…”

Perhaps the first Lady Hai Zhu had been profoundly influenced by the societal structures described by ancient civilizations during her excavation of the ruins. At the very least, when Xie Shenhong transmigrated five years ago, the kingdom was already actively suppressing its decadent and ineffectual nobility.Naturally, the nobles had resisted, and the kingdom’s eastern campaign against the Cherry Blossom Nation had also served to dismantle the old aristocratic factions.The outcome, predictably, was the utter defeat of the old nobility.Most had been stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners, and those who resented the loss of their former social standing would, much like this perpetrator, seek retribution against society through criminal acts.

“There’s no need to concern yourselves with his status; just proceed according to the regulations.”

Xie Shenhong spoke, yet he swiftly realized his own position offered no authority to issue such directives, prompting him to instantly turn his gaze towards Lyte.

“Precisely, simply adhere to the laws. And do not harbor excessive animosity towards the old nobility,” Lyte stated. “As guards, your foremost duty is fairness and impartiality. While this individual is undeniably a criminal, it is also true that many among the former aristocrats desire to lead respectable lives.”

“Understood!” The guards saluted both men before returning to their official duties.

“What troubles you?” Xie Shenhong inquired, noticing Lyte’s gaze upon him. “You aren’t suggesting that I, with the Duanmu family’s backing, would offer them protection, are you?”

“No, quite the opposite. I had rather expected you to order his execution.”

Lyte’s assumption was hardly surprising.Both the Vermillion Bird Royal Family and the families of the Azure Dragon lineage had been among the first Lady Hai Zhu’s most devoted adherents, despite their own prominence within the aristocracy.

“How could I? As you yourself stated, they have already paid the steep price for their former arrogance, stripped of their noble standing and titles. They are now merely commoners. This individual’s refusal to embrace a new life is entirely their own affair, unrelated to anyone else.”

“Indeed, Lady Hai Zhu has expressed similar sentiments.”

Each time Lyte spoke of Lady Hai Zhu, an expression of profound adoration would grace his features.Xie Shenhong, of course, remained entirely unconvinced.Regarding Lyte’s claims about Lady Hai Zhu’s pronouncements… Xie Shenhong inwardly apologized, for in truth, those were his own words.

During the five years since his transmigration, with crime rampant among the old nobility, Duanmu Yun had sought his counsel on a resolution. His proposed strategy involved sowing discord and fostering division.Specifically, this entailed encouraging and rewarding those former nobles willing to embrace reforms and adapt to new lives, thereby demonstrating that the royal family harbored no intention of complete annihilation.Conversely, treasonous acts committed by criminals would face severe suppression, while lesser offenses would be judged according to the standards applied to ordinary citizens, ensuring neither favoritism nor perversion of justice.

“It’s akin to besieging a city: one must leave an escape route, a path for them to retreat, in order to truly dismantle their resolve.”

Xie Shenhong had imparted these very words to Duanmu Yun at the time.Before long, Lady Hai Zhu implemented the strategy precisely as described.Back then, Xie Shenhong had attributed it to either great minds converging or Duanmu Yun’s counsel being effectively relayed to Lady Hai Zhu. Yet, in retrospect, it seemed more likely that Duanmu Yun had simply adopted his strategy directly.

“Indeed, it is precisely due to Lady Hai Zhu’s just and sagacious rule that the kingdom enjoys such unparalleled prosperity today.”

However, given Lyte’s clear intention to display his loyalty to the kingdom in Xie Shenhong’s presence, Xie Shenhong saw no reason not to play along.

After all—

“Yes, truly, without Lady Hai Zhu, nothing we see today would have come to be…”

Lyte gazed upon the bustling thoroughfare, his eyes, for reasons unknown, taking on a strangely complex cast.

‘Is he contemplating how vastly inferior the Empire is to the Kingdom, thereby stirring envy and jealousy within him? Or does he simply harbor a desire to obliterate everything he now witnesses?’

Xie Shenhong could not discern the truth, yet this only fueled his heightened wariness and deepening aversion towards Lyte, prompting him to plaster an even more radiant smile upon his face.Noticing his smile, Lyte snapped back to attention. “Let us conclude our duties for today,” he announced. “I shall report your performance to my superiors.”

“Thank you, but can such matters… truly be considered meritorious achievements?” Xie Shenhong asked, a hint of genuine confusion in his tone.While he had offered Duanmu Yun counsel and technical assistance across numerous domains, he remained entirely uninvolved in military affairs or the administration of the Crimson Knights.Yet, by any reasonable deduction, the Crimson Knights, being the kingdom’s most formidable military unit, would hardly hold him in high esteem merely for performing a few acts of kindness, would they?The sole exception, perhaps, would be Duanmu Yun’s abuse of authority to enroll him…It wasn’t that he failed to grasp the logic of keeping the Hai Zhu doll under his direct supervision for enhanced protection.However, his true objective was to cultivate greater trust from Duanmu Yun; resorting to back channels would render that endeavor meaningless.

“It’s less about accruing merit and more about assessing personal character. The Crimson Knights serve as Lady Hai Zhu’s direct order. Should one fail to embody Lady Hai Zhu’s ideals, even if all other qualifications are met, entry into the order remains impossible.”

That seemed entirely reasonable.Yet, if that were the case, progress would prove agonizingly slow. This thought prompted Xie Shenhong to hastily glance at the time displayed on his phone.

“I have pressing matters to attend to; I shall take my leave now.”

Xie Shenhong departed in haste, only for Lyte to shadow him a moment later.

“Has something occurred?” Lyte inquired, feigning concern.

‘How utterly vexing. Is he a fly?’

Nevertheless, Xie Shenhong maintained a facade of gratitude, displaying a polite smile.

“My apologies for causing you concern,” Xie Shenhong replied. “It’s nothing particularly urgent; I merely recalled that I hadn’t yet purchased groceries from the supermarket.”

This was no mere perfunctory excuse.He had originally planned to go yesterday, but as a man reborn four years into the future, coupled with the multitude of events from the previous day, the errand had completely slipped his mind.Today, however, the patrol duties had consumed his time. Even if he managed to procure a week’s worth of ingredients with utmost speed, he wouldn’t reach home until seven o’clock.The mere thought of having achieved nothing significant since his rebirth, and worse, leaving his beloved sister to go hungry, filled him with an involuntary surge of anxiety.

“Do you prepare your own meals?”

‘Heh, a question only an imperial prince would deign to ask, I suppose.’

Yet, it mattered little; he had long since mastered the art of concealing the malice churning within him.

“Indeed,” Xie Shenhong responded, adopting a half-sincere, half-feigned expression of thoughtfulness. “I simply wish to avoid burdening Sister Yun any further, so…”

“In that case, might I impose upon you as a guest for dinner tonight?”

In stark contrast to Lyte’s seemingly cheerful and inquisitive demeanor, Xie Shenhong was utterly dumbfounded by the suggestion.

‘What kind of person is this? So brazen, to think of freeloading a meal at someone’s house after knowing them for less than two days?’

‘No, is this fellow truly so desperate to ingratiate himself with the Duanmu family?’

‘Is he truly that impatient to bring about the kingdom’s downfall?’

The more Xie Shenhong pondered, the greater his revulsion grew, yet he still managed to force a cheerful smile onto his face.

“No problem at all. And I say this without boasting: my culinary skills are sure to satisfy you.”

“Indeed,” Lyte replied, “I shall eagerly anticipate it.”

Lyte offered a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Xie Shenhong’s ‘smile’.